Mr L. Paul Bremer - the US presidential envoy to Iraq and administrator (CEO) of the Coalition Provisional Authority from May 2003 to June 2004 - has written an interesting article defending his decisions in the fateful days that followed the overthrowing of the Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq by the US-led forces. Bremer writes in The Washington Post: "I've grown weary of … [Read more...] about Paul Bremer: “I Am Not A Punching Bag”
Asra Q. Nomani: An Indo-American Islamic Feminist’s Saga
Ms Asra Q. Nomani is a rare being, almost an endangered species: an Islamic feminist who takes recourse to the scriptures of the religion, the traditions of Prophet Mohammed and the Holy Quran to vindicate her stand, reports The Hindu. "A single, unwed mother, she has organised the first woman-led mixed gender prayers in Islamic history since the 7th Century. Against … [Read more...] about Asra Q. Nomani: An Indo-American Islamic Feminist’s Saga
Nudists Reveal Discounts To Attract Younger Members
Nudist camps are a little behind on their memberships. So they're offering discounts and other programs to attract young people. The AP has this revealing story: Here's the naked truth about nude recreation: The people who practice it aren't getting any younger. To draw 20- and 30-somethings, nudist groups and camps are trying everything from deep discounts on … [Read more...] about Nudists Reveal Discounts To Attract Younger Members
USA’s Two ‘Top Allies’ Exchange Fire
"Come on you two...stop fighting...and I say it from my heart..." A file photo of President Bush flanked by President Musharraf and President Karzai. I wonder what sort of 'War-Against-Terror' is going on with the soldiers of the two top allies of the the United States exchanging fire among themselves across the Pakistan and Afghanistan border and killing and injuring their … [Read more...] about USA’s Two ‘Top Allies’ Exchange Fire
Al Qaeda Says It Captured U.S. Soldiers In Iraq
If this Reuters report proves correct -- and it's critical to remember with these kinds of reports that a report without confirmation is NOT a "solid" report -- then the news from Iraq has just gotten a lot more grim: Thousands of American troops searched on Sunday for three U.S. soldiers missing in Iraq after an ambush in which al Qaeda said it seized "crusader" forces, … [Read more...] about Al Qaeda Says It Captured U.S. Soldiers In Iraq
Happy Mothers’ Day
Patrick Corrigan, The Toronto Star Be sure to read earlier TMV Mothers Day posts: Gold Star Mothers’ Day WHEN A GOOD MOTHER SAILS FROM THIS WORLD: Mother’s Day 2007 … [Read more...] about Happy Mothers’ Day
Pondering Tony Blair
From Mark Daniels:Tony Blair's premiership was wrought ten years ago through clever Clintonian triangulation. Blair told British voters that he represented "new Labour," a left-leaning party no longer wed to a socialist agenda or to the trade unions. As when Bill Clinton won the presidency here in the States in 1992, also in a three-way race, Tony Blair represented a … [Read more...] about Pondering Tony Blair
Timor-Leste Elections: Lessons For US Media & Policy-Makers
The US media's/bloggers' obsession with things/issues American is an old and familiar story. Some say that the US media projected Mr George W. Bush in such a way during the initial stages of Iraq war, that even the US president was led to have faith in his own rhetoric! ...And the rest is history. The first Persian Gulf War in 1990 changed the character and complexion of … [Read more...] about Timor-Leste Elections: Lessons For US Media & Policy-Makers
Gold Star Mothers’ Day
Thanks to TMV, I have corresponded with interesting people from around the world. One is Debi, the mother of a US soldier who was serving in Iraq - I say "was" because, two months ago, her son was killed by an IED. Here is a memorial to her son, Sgt. Emerson N. Brand. Today, many mothers are suffering the ultimate loss. … [Read more...] about Gold Star Mothers’ Day
WHEN A GOOD MOTHER SAILS FROM THIS WORLD: Mother’s Day 2007
On Mother's Day, this libretto excerpt is offered to those who were lucky enough to have had what I call, "a beautiful, imperfectly-perfect mother," but one who too early passed from this world... especially hard when she has been the ground note for her sons and daughters. Some of us did not have a mother we can remember without fear, but that doesn't keep us from recognizing … [Read more...] about WHEN A GOOD MOTHER SAILS FROM THIS WORLD: Mother’s Day 2007
Spanish And French: Cannabis Money ‘Funds Islamist terrorism’
If you thought terrorism was helping the world go to pot, you are right -- but you might also have that a bit reversed: Cannabis smokers are unwittingly funding Islamist extremists linked to terror attacks in Spain, Morocco and Algeria, according to a joint investigation by the Spanish and French secret services. The finding will be seized on both by campaigners for a … [Read more...] about Spanish And French: Cannabis Money ‘Funds Islamist terrorism’
Throat Cancer: The ‘Oral’ Risk
A study revealed a link between oral sex and throat cancer caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus implicated in the majority of cervical cancers, says New Scientist. "People who had one to five oral-sex partners in their lifetime had approximately a doubled risk of throat cancer compared with those who never engaged in this activity - and those with more than five … [Read more...] about Throat Cancer: The ‘Oral’ Risk
Iraq: Of Missing US Soldiers, Hostile Parliament & Oil Scandal
Three more disturbing recent news items from Iraq - missing US soldiers, hostile Iraqi parliament and oil scandal - again put a question mark over the U.S. troops' continued occupation of a hostile country. "U.S. and Iraqi troops searched house-to-house and combed fields with their bare hands Saturday after American troops and their Iraqi interpreter came under attack in the … [Read more...] about Iraq: Of Missing US Soldiers, Hostile Parliament & Oil Scandal
Australia: ‘Perils of Economic Success’
What is the winning 'mantra' in an election? Sound economy? No? Then what? "If the economy is booming in an unprecedented manner, the leader of a country should be feeling confident of winning the next election. Not so in the case of Australia," says The Economist. "The country has had 16 years of continuous growth, the past 11 of them under (Prime Minister) John Howard's … [Read more...] about Australia: ‘Perils of Economic Success’
From the Land of Melamine, A Stowaway
CNN: For China the stowaway cat, nine lives were enough HENDERSONVILLE, North Carolina (AP) -- After Eric Congdon opened a crate from China and discovered a cat inside, coming up with a name for the furry stowaway was easy. China the cat had chewed through one of the boxes before it left Shanghai, China, on April 3 and spent at least 35 days on a ship inside the container … [Read more...] about From the Land of Melamine, A Stowaway
Moore Blasts Bush Administration Probe Of His Trip To Cuba
It's controversial filmmaker Michael Moore versus the Bush administration -- again. And it's Michael Moore getting a Santa Claus stocking full of free and priceless promo publicity to ensure his movie will be a smash at the box office....promo gifted to him by his opponents...again. At issue is a trip the opinionated documentary maker who liberals love to love and … [Read more...] about Moore Blasts Bush Administration Probe Of His Trip To Cuba
It’s Not Always Easy Being A Journalist
Sometimes your feelings do show -- and on things other than politics. … [Read more...] about It’s Not Always Easy Being A Journalist
Afghanistan: Concern At Civilian Killings
As my previous post on the killing of civilians in Pakistan mentions about the repercussions for the USA, the news from Afghanistan about rising civilian casualties points in the same direction. The New York Times says: "Scores of civilian deaths over the past months from heavy American and allied reliance on air strikes to battle Taliban insurgents are threatening popular … [Read more...] about Afghanistan: Concern At Civilian Killings
The Week Ahead For Democrat John Edwards
Could it be a difficult one -- particularly because of possible news involving something tied in with the victims of Hurricane Katrina? Perhaps... … [Read more...] about The Week Ahead For Democrat John Edwards
America & Pakistan General: ‘Front-line Ally’ In Deep Trouble
The current crisis in Pakistan, with the military dictatorship now reportedly even encouraging killing of civilians to stamp out dissent, could lead to further fuelling of anti-American movements in Pakistan and the region. And, later, to a possible civil war in Pakistan. At least 27 people were killed and about 90 injured yesterday in clashes between rival political groups … [Read more...] about America & Pakistan General: ‘Front-line Ally’ In Deep Trouble